Just like that, we are down to four.
Only the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks went the seven-game distance. The Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, and Florida Panthers all won their series in six games. Three division winners have made it to the conference finals. Even though the Oilers didn’t win their division, they were a heavy favorite earlier in the year to come out of the Pacific Division.
Here we are, the completely predictable Conference Finals matchups: Florida vs. New York Rangers, and Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars.
So let’s take a look at the past week.
Fantasy Hockey Playoff Week in Review
Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers
Draisaitl continues to produce, with four assists over the last three games. His playoff-point streak continues with at least one point in every playoff game. It’ll be tough for Draisaitl to keep that point streak alive.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C/LW, Edmonton Oilers
It’s hard to believe Nugent-Hopkins gets overlooked in Edmonton, but unless you drafted him you may not know he has 16 points through 12 games. Hopkins is providing the Oilers with that much-needed second-line scoring. His five points in games six and seven are a huge reason for the Oilers winning round two.
Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars
He leads the Dallas Stars in playoff scoring with 13 points in 13 games. The last time he produced at a point-per-game clip in the playoffs (26 points in 27 games), the Stars went to the Stanley Cup Finals. Time will tell if this is an omen.
Anton Lundell, C/W, Florida Panthers
He picked up a goal and an assist in game six against the Boston Bruins. Lundell has provided quality value with nine points in eleven games. Lundell is getting 1:26 more ice time, and an additional :43 on the power play, compared to the regular season.
Chris Kreider, LW, New York Rangers
Talk about showing up when your team needs you most. The Rangers were down 3-1 in the third period of game six. Kreider then scored a natural hat trick, the third goal was the game and series-clinching goal. He now has seven goals and 10 points in 10 playoff games.
Vincent Trocheck, C, New York Rangers
After no points in the two losses to Carolina, Trocheck scored a goal and an assist in the deciding game. He continues to provide great fantasy value, with 14 points through 10 playoff games.
Stuart Skinner, G, Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are the only team remaining that does not have a true number-one goalie to lean on. Remember, Skinner sat games four and five, in favor of Calvin Pickard. Any games he misses now will be magnified in your standings. It’s crunch time.
Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers
Like Trocheck, Panarin didn’t produce a point in the two losses to the Hurricanes. He returned to the score sheet with two assists in game six. He’s up to 11 points in 10 games after two rounds of the playoffs. He’ll need to maintain this production, if not increase it, if the Rangers will beat the Panthers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Sam Bennett, C/LW, Florida Panthers
Bennett has missed five games this playoffs. He was arguably the biggest non-fantasy story of the second round as well as with his ‘gritty,’ physical play. He’s the type of player that could put up a surprising total of points in any given round.
Fantasy Hockey News and Notes
Let’s talk Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs. There are all kinds of trade rumors floating around. All of which appear to be unsubstantiated to date. Remember, Marner has a complete no-movement clause in his contract. Nothing happens without his approval.
Plan and expect Marner to be on the Maple Leafs at the start of the 2024-25 season.
Let’s talk Nashville Predators. They traded Ryan McDonagh back to the Tampa Bay Lightning this week. This gives the Panthers $26 million in cap space this off-season.
It’s more likely the Panthers will make a splash on one of the big unrestricted free agents – Steven Stamkos, C/LW, Tampa Bay Lightning, Sam Reinhart, C/RW, Florida Panthers, Jake Guentzel, LW/RW, Pittsburgh Penguins, Jonathan Marchesseault, LW/RW, Vegas Golden Knights – than they trade for Mitch Marner.
Buckle up, it’s going to be a fun off-season. We’ll talk more about free agents and trade rumors in a few weeks.
Here are my picks for the Conference Finals:
New York Rangers in seven.
Dallas Stars in six.
Thanks for reading.
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